Before Fandom in Japanese-Indonesian Film: the Roots of Globalization from Japan to Indonesia

What is it about?

This paper discusses the imports of Japanese propaganda films in Indonesia and the production of feature films in Indonesia under Nippon Eigasha for the purpose of pacification. By sending film experts such as Hinatsu Eitaro and Bunjin Kurata (eventually known as Dr. Huyung and B. Koesoema respectively), Japan introduced national film standardization and taught systematic filmmaking techniques to Indonesian young film directors. Indonesian first filmmaker, Usmar Ismail benefited positively from the training, allowing him to produce his first film by Perfini, Darah dan Doa, which was named as the first Indonesian film. Therefore, this study is done to identify the roots of Japanese cultural globalization back to when it first entered Indonesia and discuss its impact in defining Indonesian national cinema until today.

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